Next lockdown phase won’t be like earlier ones, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that ‘Lockdown 4.0’,
starting 18 May, will be “totally different" from the previous phases,
and the contours will be decided on the basis of suggestions received
from state governments.

There may be more relaxations, but people will have to continue
taking precautions, including wearing masks and social distancing, Modi
said in his fifth address to the nation since March, which lasted 33
minutes.

The prime minister’s comments came as the third phase of lockdown is
scheduled to end on 17 May. India has been under a lockdown since 25
March.

There was a complete lockdown across the country in the first phase,
while the subsequent phases have had certain relaxations, including the
opening up of offices with limited capacity and delivery of
non-essential goods in orange and green zones.

Restrictions could be eased further in Lockdown 4.0 in areas that are
not considered hotspots, given that the prime minister spoke of
reviving the economy and making India self-reliant.

“Lockdown 4.0 will be in a completely different form. It will be with
new rules. With the inputs that we are getting from the states, we will
announce the new information on Lockdown 4.0 before 18 May. I am
confident that by obeying all the rules, we will be fighting corona and
moving forward," Modi said.

“There is a saying that what is in our power, what is in our control
give us happiness. Self-reliance not only makes us happy, but also
empowers us. Our responsibility to make the 21st century India’s will
only be complete by the pledge of making India self-reliant," he added.

In a meeting with chief ministers on Monday, Modi had asked states to submit their suggestions by 15 May.

Some state governments had asked for powers to start economic
activities in zones that were considered relatively free from the virus,
while others had advised caution on restarting train and air services.

Modi exhorted people to work towards their targets while taking precautions such as wearing masks and maintaining “do gaz doori" (two-feet distance). He said it was important to ensure that our life does not revolve only around covid-19.

“All experts and scientists say corona will remain a part of our
lives for a long time. However, we can’t allow ourselves to be limited
by the challenge of covid-19. We will have to wear a mask, we will have
to maintain social distancing, but we will not allow our goals to be
affected by this," said Modi.

Stringent measures, exempting only essential goods and services, were
put in place on 25 March after the PM’s speech announcing a nationwide
lockdown. Subsequently, in the second phase, some measures were eased to
allow select activities, including harvesting of crops and work under
the rural employment guarantee scheme. The government relaxed measures
on 4 May, when the third phase of the lockdown started, to kick-start
economic activity. It permitted stand-alone shops to open, besides
allowing limited construction work and the movement of people in certain
areas. The government had announced various relaxations on the basis of
the number of covid-19 cases across districts, which were identified as
red, orange and green zones. In orange and green zones, for instance,
cab aggregators were permitted, with two passengers, besides the driver.
Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles was allowed only
for permitted activities.

The Union home ministry had also said that movement for non-essential
purposes were allowed, barring the 7pm-7am window. It also said
domestic helps could resume work subject to permission from residents’
welfare societies, and provided that the employers arrange for
transportation.

Liquor, paan and gutka stores were also allowed to function, and sale of non-essentials by e-commerce firms was allowed in orange and green zones.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that ‘Lockdown 4.0’, starting 18 May, will be “totally different" from the previous phases, and the contours will be decided on the basis of suggestions received from state governments.